Signature of a memorandum of understanding between ANSES and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India | Anses - Agence nationale de sécurité sanitaire de l’alimentation, de l’environnement et du travail

Signature of a memorandum of understanding between ANSES and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India

On the occasion of the State visit to India of the President of the French Republic, Mr François Hollande, ANSES and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India signed an agreement to promote exchanges on health risk analysis methodologies and laboratory techniques in the area of food safety, areas in which ANSES has gained international recognition.

Food safety is a major concern shared by both France and India. Over the last two years, ANSES and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) have already had the opportunity to consider some initial possibilities for cooperation. Thus, in April 2014, ANSES hosted a delegation from the FSSAI in order to present its activities. Then, in January 2015, ANSES visited New Delhi to confirm this planned cooperation and initiate a dialogue with technical experts.

The signature of a memorandum of understanding, on the occasion of the visit to India of the President of the French Republic Mr François Hollande, is a practical expression of this desire for cooperation on areas in which ANSES has gained international recognition, and in particular a European Union reference mandate for milk and dairy products.

This cooperation will mainly take the form of discussions between the two health agencies on risk assessment methodologies, laboratory practices and the methodology for total diet studies, whose aim is to monitor the exposure of populations to chemicals found in foods (plant protection product residues, environmental contaminants, heat-induced compounds, natural toxins, additives, etc.), following a standardised methodology recommended by the World Health Organization.

The signing of this agreement aims to improve scientific and technical cooperation between the two health agencies and will facilitate exchanges of data and know-how, the implementation of joint work, or training between the two organisations.